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Newell no-go for mystery man

Grimsby boss Mike Newell has revealed that the club have failed in a bid for an unnamed player.

By Rob Carragher

Last Updated: 06/03/09 1:21pm

Grimsby boss Mike Newell has revealed that the club have failed in a bid for an unnamed player.

The Mariners hierarchy had been in discussions with another club over the loan of one of their players, but the deal was scrapped before the player himself even discussed terms.

"It doesn't look like it is going to happen," Newell told the Grimsby Evening Telegraph of the proposed deal.

"We discussed it with the club, although I hadn't spoken to the player.

"But it has fallen through now."

Short-term deals

Meanwhile, Newell insists that he is keen to keep hold of loan players Dean Sinclair and Stuart Elliott.

Sinclair is currently back with Charlton receiving treatment for an injury, but Newell is positive that the midfielder will be able to return to Blundell Park for the final month of his loan.

"Dean Sinclair is keen to stay. He's got a hamstring injury at the moment so we'll have to see how long that's going to take," Newell told the club's official website.

"We feel he's been a big player for us and could be a big player for us.

"I've checked with Ian (Fleming) and we can get the third month in even if there is a break."

Elliott decision

The Mariners boss is also looking to retain the services of Elliott, but with the Doncaster Rovers man disappointed by his recent spell out of the Grimsby first team, Newell feels that the ball is now in the midfielder's court.

"Stuart Elliott - although he hasn't played the last couple of games - we are delighted with what he has done for us and the attitude he has shown," added Newell.

"That's up to Stuart," he said of the chances of retaining the 30-year-old. "I know he's been frustrated at not playing but we just thought that the games had caught up with him 'leg-wise'. He comes into contention for Saturday's game, without question.